Artistic metalwork of the Transfiguration Church of the Aleksandrovsky Plant in Perm Governorate

Abstract

The article is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive history of the metal decoration created for the Transfiguration Church of the Aleksandrovsky Plant in Perm Governorate (now the city of Aleksandrovsk in Perm Krai). It is based on previously unexplored documents from the State Archive of the Perm Krai. The author has used historical-descriptive and systemic-analytical methods to identify a list of decorative elements and individual products made from ferrous metals. These include commonly used elements such as floor slabs, steps, fences, etc., as well as rarer items like iconostasis details and tower clocks. The widespread use of these elements can be attributed to the presence of local ironworking and iron casting facilities, which were integrated into the larger industrial complex. The study also sheds light on the roles and responsibilities of those involved in the construction and decoration of the church. It introduces a new name, M.I. Uskov, the Administrator of the Aleksandrovsky Plant, who was responsible for developing detailed designs for the metal decoration. It is also revealed that in the first half of the 19th century, the plant owner, Vsevolod Vsevolozhsky, played a significant role in determining the presence and artistic style of the metal decoration in the church. However, the Main Pozhevsky Administration (primarily the Chief Administrator) and the Administrator of the Aleksandrovsky Plant also made their own contributions to the practical implementation of the owner's instructions within the production process. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of artistic metalwork in the Perm Kama region from the first half of the 19th century to the early 20th century.